TEN mayors in Negros Oriental led by Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, the spouse of the late Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, yesterday went to the Department of Justice in Manila.
The mayors trooped to the DOJ to seek justice for the killing of Degamo and several civilians on March 4.
The mayors met with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
During the meeting attended by Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and police officials, the mayors provided information
about previous incidents of unrest in Negros Oriental.
Meanwhile, the DOJ has started yesterday the preliminary investigation into the complaint of illegal possession of firearms and explosives against Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves and several others.
According to Teves’ counsel, attorney Ferdie Topacio, they requested more time to file a counter-affidavit, which the DOJ prosecutors granted.
The defense was given until April 14 to submit Teves’ counter-affidavit.
“We entered an appearance. We met with representatives of the CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group). They asked for a week to present additional evidence, and we asked for two more weeks after that to submit our evidence. Everything was cordial, and it went on uneventful,” Topacio said.
Teves and several other individuals face charges following the discovery of firearms, ammunition, and explosives in his residences last March 10.
According to reports, two firearms suspected of being used in the killing of Gov. Degamo and eight others were discovered in one of Teves’ residences.
The simultaneous raids conducted by the police led to the recovery of three grenades, ten short firearms, six M4 rifles, 465 live ammunition, 22 assorted magazines, and 194 empty shells.
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